Emergency school door barricade retrofit system apparatus and method

Abstract

A reinforcement system and method for a door having a window provides for a window shutter that slides into a position covering the window during a shooting incident. An elongated bar has one end pivotally supported by a securing bracket, which is attached to a wall adjacent the door. A release pin is attached to the securing bracket; it normally supports the bar in a vertical stored position. A holster is secured to the wall on the opposite side of the door in alignment with the securing bracket. The shutter, the securing bracket, and the holster are formed from a ballistic resistant material. During a shooting incident, the user moves the shutter to cover the window, removes the release pin and pivots the bar into a horizontal position barring the door. The free end of bar is received in the holster, thereby reinforcing the door independently of the door frame and door hinges.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention provides a retrofittable emergency barricade system to be used in conjunction with windowed school doors. This system closes off the line of sight and prevents entry and attack into the room through the door window, while also barring the door itself closed to entry in a manner not wholly dependent on door lock or hinge integrity.[0002]In the United States, a school door is typically a door with a small vertical window at head height. The school window is shutterless and the door typically opens inward. The window on the door is a safety measure allowing the room to be checked while being used during the daily operation of the school. However, in the case of an active school shooter, the window becomes a danger. Suddenly, locking the door is not enough to prevent harm to the room, as a shooter may see the room filled with people or a specific person they are targeting through the window and be motivated to breach the window to reach th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a door protection system that allows school staff to easily and quickly secure a room using a bar and sliding window shutter. The system is designed to prevent unauthorized access and protect schools from being targeted by shooters. The system can be easily operated by people with limited physical abilities and is retrofittable to a variety of school doors. Overall, the system provides a strong, reliable, and affordable way to secure schools and maintain their integrity.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the case of an active school shooter, the window becomes a danger.

Suddenly, locking the door is not enough to prevent harm to the room, as a shooter may see the room filled with people or a specific person they are targeting through the window and be motivated to breach the window to reach the lock or to otherwise compromise the integrity of the lock.

Clearly, merely providing a barrier to entry, although important, is not enough to protect students in the case of a school shooting.

Although there are some barricade systems that were developed for use in schools for preventing intruder access through the door, the Parkland, Fla. shooter demonstrated the flaws in these systems by both identifying targets and shooting through windows.

The previous systems rely on lock hinge or hinge integrity entirely or do not address the shooter's use of door windows and thus are not truly effective barriers to school shooters.

Because FRP material weighs approximately 6 pounds per square foot, providing that thickness would add too much weight to the door, would make it difficult for a single maintenance person to install, and would add unnecessary cost.

Moreover, by using lightweight (thinner) ballistic material, the added weight will not fatigue the existing door, nor will the shielding protection provided be exorbitantly expensive for schools, offices, or the like.

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